Cha Wa is a traditional Mardi Gras Indians greeting in New Orleans that means “here we come” or “we’re comin’ for ya.” Appropriately, a hearty shout of “CHA WA!” is the first thing I hear out of “Spyboy” Irving “Honey” Banister Jr.’s mouth when he and two of his bandmates appear on my Zoom screen. […]
Once in a while, a band comes along and brings something so special you have no choice but to love it. That band is Cha Wa. Founded in 2014, they released their third album, My People, 2021, a follow-up to 2018’s Grammy-nominated Spyboy. Check out the 15-Minute Live performance they did with us in 2021 […]
This week’s edition of 15 Minute Live Performances (watch our previous 15 Minute Live Performances set from rising stars UPSAHL and KANDLE) features New Orleans-based collective Cha Wa. Fronted by Joseph Boudreaux Jr. a lifelong member of the city’s Mardi Gras Indian community, the group also features members Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs and Second […]